1 minute read
BROWN BEARS
RHENEN | NETHERLANDS
How it all started…
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The beginning of the idea and need to do something substantial for captive bears in Europe goes back more than 30 years.
In 1990, Ouwehand Zoo in The Netherlands was asked by the Directorate-General (European Commission) to draw up a plan to accommodate several captive (ex-dancing) bears from Greece.
Those would be confiscated following a change in legislation.
The use of dancing bears as street entertainment was not only banned in Greece, but also in Turkey.
In the years that followed (more than 200 bears needed to be re-homed), two large bear sanctuaries were built in the above-mentioned countries and dozens of bears were saved under the LiBearty campaign set up by then WSPA.
More bears needed a new home (amongst them three blind dancing bears from Turkey) and following the initial request...
WORDS: KOEN CUYTEN | BEARS IN MIND
IMAGES: BEARS IN MIND
